Saturday, November 28, 2009

I have been indoors, and it is gorgeous out. The plan was to finish cleaning up the Christmas mess, and bake.

So much for planning, it is gorgeous out.

The Collective have been wanting holes poked in lids all morning. PN has the seasons last grasshopper. A sad lad, is missing an antennae and a wing. SR has a worm. They are currently digging in dirt looking for more.

I am going to head out and finish up fall clean up. The rose bush up front needs to be removed.

There are butterfly bushes that need trimmed as well as about 2,000 sq feet of flower beds that need cleaning.

Wash machine, dryer, and dishwasher all running. I need extensions cords that are not bright orange for the front. I might convince DH to head out...oh and lightbulbs, we need light bulbs...

Directions:1. Wash and dry shrimp thoroughly. Then mix with the wine and cornstarch and leave aside while preparing the rest of the ingredients.2. Beat the egg with the starch and salt. Add enough cold water to form a smooth but slightly thick batter. Heat enough oil for deep frying to 350 F. Using chopsticks, dip each shrimp in the batter, then fry in the hot oil for a few minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.3. While the shrimps are frying, mix the sauce ingredients in a saucepan. After the shrimps are all done frying, place the shrimp on a plate and pour the sauce over. Sprinkle with the walnuts.

I also need to make room for Christmas items to be carried up, so the tree can be fluffed up and decorated.

I need to make an advent wreath, and the list continues to rock on.

More cookies need to be made, this time Russian tea crescents, and chocolate crinkles.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I can breath tonight, perhaps take a bubble bath, and not feel as though I am on the edge of the Earth sliding off.

YAY.

SR made it through Monday, and today. No problems. He took his Spanish quiz today and ailed it, even though his time studying was 15 minutes. Ask me if I recall what we studied. All periodic is memorized, and he continues to educate us all! I might know 20 by the end of the month.

PN, is doing well, and although she is owly after her all day kindergarten, she is learning, to go to her room, work on her art, listen to music, and settle herself down after her snack. She then smiles, and is happy.

The Christmas program went well Sunday. The children sang and sang. WE went early to get good seats, but bam it was a full house! We had 10 people with us, and we ended up all in the front row! Which is great to see the children, but makes filming problematic.

PN is 3rd row, on the end in the black turtleneck. SR was in the middle, and I was unable to get good video of him. However I kept commenting to my sister during the program like the children reminded me of a darn beehive. Buzzing, and moving, and twisting the entire time.

WE have another Thanksgiving this week, and are looking forward to seeing some of DH's family. I have 2 extra days off this week and am hoping to use my time wisely.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

The week was icky, and not much I can do about it now, I can just "be" right?

However, the week was so icky my eye started twitching Tuesday or Wednesday, and would not quit. When I addressed clients, the twitching would go WILD. It was weird. The last time I had that much twitching, my Mom was sick.

@ years ago, I would have been in a tree over this. I would have been on a branch and some dear friends, would have gotten phone calls and talked me off of my branch, you know who you are, and I owe you bunches. Because talking me out of my trees is silly.

My children are my Achilles heel if you will.

However cooking 2 huge meals, has cured me of my freak out, I am only on the trunk hanging on for dear life, and am too busy to start climbing branches and meowing about.

For the last 3 days I have cooked, and baked, and cooked.

tonight it was sweet roll dough, I kneaded and kneaded and smelled yeasty dough. I made a huge nutritious relish tray, cheese tray, tortilla roll ups, hot wings, bbq wings. I made cranberry relish last night for tomorrow. The treats for the Christmas Program, are made and attractively wrapped.

This week was not just stressful, because of SR. It is the holidays, there are programs, and obligations. Ours no different from other homes. WE are 3 days behind on our New Testament reading.

I will be honest with you I have never been one to read the Bible daily, but I am finding it sooo interesting, and learning new things all of the time. It has brought me peace, and I especially liked the night SR could not sleep, and he read an entire assignment, without trouble.

OK off folks...I am off to finish watching the Huskers play, finish watching this dough rise, so I can punch it down, and roll it out and make cinnamon rolls for my family in the morning....

I am lucky, and I know it, and this is a small bump. I need to smile, and treat others with care, and KNOW how could they know what my child needs, they are not his Mother...

First off there is nothing going on here, nothing new, or exciting. Frankly it is boring here. GO BORING. There is no drama in my house, it is not allowed. (Well other than me being upset about the dog)

Second, I think my suspicions are right. For those who have not been reading long. SR did go through IQ testing, he maxed it out. I also know IQ tests are one of those things that folks can argue all day about. However, until someone comes up with something better, it is a tool we decided to use to help our child. We did not use it to simply say WOW. We used it is a tool to show the educators what kind of child we are dealing with. We need to accommodate him, his learning style and his needs. Just like children who have other special needs.

Third it is almost painful to put anything down in the blog...as I am always waiting to defend myself or him.

As with all bloggers, this is where I cash my chips, it is a document of my life, and my feelings about it.

So with all of that said. I picked up SR today, this time in the principals office. Nothing bad, he told the teacher, he was sensitive, and headed down his bad path, and needed to leave the room. However I do not think he made it there nearly soon enough.

We will continue to work on this, and have a meeting with the school this week. The kid is BORED. He is sitting in a classroom in which he knows everything, they are going over. My request is simple. A science mentor.

The child needs confidence. He needs achievement, it is what drives him. Sitting with his peers is not working.

He is currently in swim, Cubscouts, and church activity. I think music lessons are next on the list.

3 bad days....I am exhausted, and I am not even him.

I will be busy this weekend, Thanksgiving here at the house, Christmas program at church, and PN's family birthday. Some company is already here...

Want to feel like a failure, become a mother. There are somedays, where even the best cheerleader wants to hang up her pom poms.

Friday, November 20, 2009

I got in touch with the school psychologist, the one who facilitated his IQ testing, she had a very good hold of things, as far as SR was concerned last year.

Hopefully we can get this sorted out. In good news his teacher is WONDERFUL, and on top of things, and doing what she can. The problem is, he is mainstreamed into his 2nd grade, and for now really that is the only alternative. His emotions have not caught up with his intellect, when this does happen maybe we will move him.

Right now the school system is doing what they can. He is the only student in the school system that has 2 mentors. Mentors are expensive and I do appreciate the assistance. We just need to find a science specialty, instead of the Spanish. He told me last night he LOVES his math. Spanish ok. Last year his 2nd mentor worked off of several things, she changed it up often. This year his math mentor, is challenging him in math, and he is 1/2 finished with the 4th grade book. As bad as he is wants to move forward I know he needs the fundamentals.

I am relieved his teacher is so understanding.

Say a prayer, we could use it.

Last night I was sooo exhausted from the day that I was wiped, and had dreams of dog doctors

SR missed the first word EVER on a spelling test, and absolutely fell apart today. Poor kid. When I picked him up, his head was down, and he was tearful. I stopped and talked to the teacher as she directed traffic...

The entire time we spoke, SR kept crying and saying "I am going to go home and lock myself in a box for an hour."

(The entire time he is saying this, I am thinking, holy crap, the teacher is going to think we punish him by putting him in a box)

I am not sure where he or why he was saying this. The teacher said the afternoon was very overwhelming for him....

He managed to collect himself on the drive home.

A perfectionist, inside and out...this is not a trait from DH and I, we also do not pressure him in academics. The kid just took it upon himself to memorize the entire periodic table in like 1 month. Alone, no help. He just was interested. We did not quiz him, or make flashcards. He even made a song out of the elements. He continues to study them, and is VERY interested. We have to google his questions to us, we are clueless.

Heck I should show him my blog, and all of the spelling errors. Heck maybe he can edit the blog...

Our first rule is RESPECT others and yourself. RESPECT.

Heck no where in our top 50 list of things we want them to do is PERFECT GRADES. He has never been in trouble for grades. NEVER. Probably because he always gets 100% on things. He has been in trouble for acting on impulse, and not RESPECTING people.

Maybe I can get him a book about mellowing out?

OK off to my bath, I forgot I have to make more cookies for Sunday!! I also have 2 20 something turkeys thawing out....

Tis going to be a busy week.

DH informed me the basement needs to be CLEANED up, the kids have a mess going on down there...

# Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).# In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the molasses and eggs. Combine 1 1/2 cups of the flour, baking soda, salt, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger; beat into the molasses mixture. Gradually stir in the remaining flour by hand to form a stiff dough.# Divide dough into 2 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.# Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

It is late. 10:00pm too late to be making 49 or so gingerbread boys and girls. However it is Monday.

Mondays. I am not sure if anyone likes Mondays. If you do, good for you. Our Mondays have been doused by activity. So there is no time really spent thinking how horrid it is, it is a day spent getting ready for the next hour. Our Mondays make the rest of the week look like a breeze.

I have friends who have this schedule EVERYDAY. Bless you, I have no idea how you do it.

I am not complaining, so much as I cannot believe the speed of the day. Seriously.

I will be glad to see Tuesday arrive!

Things here are ok. SR seems to be walking straight, PN is fine she is learning to read. This is exciting.

The birthday party is booked at the gymnastics place, for December, this could be bad, as some folks might be headed out of town. We do have 8 guests RSVP at this time. They were ok having a combined party! This will make things so much easier. SR wants a carrot cake, PN wants some Littlest Pet Shop Cake she saw at the grocery store...Those weird little bratz looking animals with big eyes. I do not understand the attraction. I am thankful she did not pick bratz.

I am hosting our Families Thanksgiving this weekend, and attached to that, will be a small celebration of PN's birthday with family. We also have the Children's Christmas church program. (All on Sunday) I would love to tell you I am going all out, and setting a beautiful table etc. However I am doing darn chinet this year...I really do not want to stand doing dishes all day. I am sure there will be plenty of dishes to do. I am pretty sure this will rate as tacky with many of my readers, but I think my meal will make up for it.

Wednesday night while the kids are at CREW, DH and I are going to get the holiday shopping done. I did manage to find turkey for 40 cents a pound, lovely hens around 20 pounds each. I am cooking both, so my guests can enjoy leftovers! I told them to bring tupperware!

Nothing unusual on the menu, all my favorites, and it is my favorite meal to prepare.

Check in later...

Need to take some photos of the darn dog, and the kids. SR and PN are getting TALL! I adore them.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

A man in my shoes runs a lightand all the papers lied tonightbut falling over youis the news of the dayAngels fall like rainAnd love - is all of heaven away(CHORUS)Inside you the times movesand she don't fadeThe ghost in youShe don't fadeInside you the time movesand she don't fadeA race is onI'm on your sideAnd here in youmy engines dieI'm in a mood for youOr running awayStars come down in youand love - you can't give it away(CHORUS)Don't you goit makes no sensewhen all your talkand supermenjust take away the timeand get in the wayAin't it just like rainAnd love - is only heaven away(CHORUS)

Friday, November 13, 2009

Over the past couple of days I have had reminders of how blessed I am....

A friend I have not heard from for 2 years called last night, with horrid news. Her one son who is quite young was recently diagnosed with colon cancer that has spread to his liver, her other son was hit by an automobile while on his motorcycle, he is currently recovering. This has all happened in the last month. A gentleman I work with has a very young child is currently fighting cancer as well, he is 5 or 6 years of age....

Such devastating circumstances....and I cannot imagine.

Perspective in buckets within 48 hours. I must have needed it. Perspective.

I cannot imagine.

I asked the one gentleman how he is doing...and he smiled and said we are fine. I might add here, this young man is always smiling, always focused, always kind. And I told him we would be praying for him, and asked again how are you? He said he was fine, until he heard someone complain about a grumpy child, or a child that was up all night with the flu.

I understood immediately.

I will pray tonight for all of these folks. I will also remember not to complain and sweat over the small stuff.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

This week, take library books back AGAIN tomorrow.Buy Aunt Renae her official gift from the kiddos...Warmest, softest jammies i can find in town.Buy teachers Yankee Candles while coupon is still 2 for 1! Otherwise you will feel bad.Buy PN a tote for her ART Tomorrow, otherwise I will go crazy from looking at it.

Got through bills.

Sounds like an expensive week...

Update...so much for hitting it hard. DH worked late so I had to come home and take the dog for his crap and stroll...cut into my time to get crap done. I had to drive across town and book the gymanstics place for the Collective's birthday bash (they would not do it over the phone... Now to find everyone's address etc...

I have been out of normal commission for like 2 days because my red tent decided to pitch itself to close to the other red tent this month...I felt horrid. Pain sucks, and sucks the life out of you.

My Husband is home and safe, but several people I love are away. Away from home, and long to be "home", mowing the lawn, putting little ones to bed (even the cranky ones) ...

And it lends perspective.

We are blessed that so many do our fighting for us, so I can work behind a desk, and sleep in a warm house with a full tummy, and see my children so often that I will never know what it is like to be away.

I have not missed first crawl, first tooth, first smile.

And there are thousands of people who have done our fighting and have missed those things. And there is no making up for lost time.

What do they want in return?

I would venture to guess, a simple thank you would suffice.

If that does not make you tear up out of humility, really I have no idea what will move you....

To all of my family and friends that are serving our great Nation. I thank you, we thank you....

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

IT was not shocking, and frankly it should have been. It hurt, more than it shocked me.

A cowardly act. An act that has been done before on a grander scale, on a smaller scale.

The immediate blame on "PTSD", the implications it was anything but what it was.

A cowardly Jihadist.

How many people have to die before it is called exactly what it is?

It worries me......

Why? Because cells of terrorism are broken all of the time in the United States.

What else weighed heavily this week? The health care bill. What is domed to be another epic fail of the United States. We have a government that now pays farmers, car manufacturers, and numerous other things.

Just for the record, we already have socialism in medicine.

I have worked in the medical field since I was 15. I work in an office now, and daily we treat people with no job, we treat people who have no money, no insurance. And if you can pay and do not have insurance, well you are paying for 4 patients to be seen, out of pocket. If you have insurance, you are paying for 2 patients to be seen. If you are not working, and do not have insurance you are paying for nothing...

Amazing really.

So now instead of folks paying for 2-4 people to have insurance, my guess is we will pay for 8.

We cannot pay for 8 people.

Very sad, and I have no idea how I will be able to look at my children in the face when they are 40

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

That list in my head I have been working on. What list? Oh you know the list. That ughhhhh LIST.

In good news, I am trying to combo activities. What do you mean?

Well for instance Thanksgiving, we are having it on Sunday November 22. Why? Well it just makes sense at this time. We have our Church Christmas program that night, no one in the extended immediate family has ever been to a Christmas program. It thought it would be so nice for the entire family to go and enjoy. So I invited all down for Thanksgiving/Christmas program/PN's 6 birthday combo.

Which leads me to this...holy cow, my BABY is 6. My baby. My itty girl.....is 6. PN and SR both wanted birthday parties this year. In bad news, both children have birthdays around the holidays. This means...oye vey. Hard to book a place, hard to find anyone in town...etc...So I have asked the kids to have a combo party, and a local gymnastic joint down the road. This seemed to be an OK decision. Now I have to figure out how many kids, and if this idea will fly...Neither have had big parties before as we were pretty much separated from family, and frankly they were too small.

Must think on this one...

Next problem, Christmas break is around the corner which means we need to beg our employers to flex our schedules (not fun, or popular with coworkers) or put them in a "camp" for the break. Both said they would love "camp". It would include swimming, crafts, games, etc..not as expensive as I would have imagined. However, there are only 10 slots left. So now DH has to run down there early in the am to seal our spot...

This is the stuff that makes me nuts, just when we have our routine down, boom....

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

My son lost his third tooth tonight. He actually did not loose it, I helped extract it, with my fingers and a paper towel. He immediately went to the bathroom to see if he could shoot water out of the space. (Thanks Gramma)

I just remembered to put four quarter under his pillow, while in there I read a note that said, tooth fairy, do not take tooth.

Earlier tonight SR asked me if it was me "who impersonated the legend of the tooth fairy. I did not answer....

Also note to apply WD 40 the childrens door hinges soon, they squeak when you open the door trying to be sneaky. I never noticed this with putting laundry away, but did notice this evening...

PN doing well. Excited to have a puppy to rule about and boss, although it is much harder than she thought.

Poncho AKA bleach, is doing well, I think he doubled in size. He needs 2 long walks a day and DH has been taking him to the dog park in town. He is flying like the wind, and racing other dogs. His paws are huge, he looks like a clydesdale horse.

IF it was 60 degrees at night, I would not mind taking the dog out, I know i could use a long and brisk walk, but darn it is cool. I must find a balaclava for myself. Because the cold hits my ears, and then i feel like I have an earache for the rest of the day. I also think it is imperative that I do not volunteer to do much with the pup for about 40 days. That means everyoe here will have a routine, I am not sole part of.

Monday, November 02, 2009

I have a wide awake puppy @ my feet, that gets his rush from playing in the morning...

DH woke took him out to do his business, brought him in, put him in his kennel.

DH went into the bathroom and whammo bark city.

I of course got up.

The problem?

I think the puppy wakes and wants to play.

Why?

Because for the last 2 mornings this has repeated. The puppy wants to run, chew and cavort.

I am not happy....

I just wanted my other hour of sleep.

just an hour.

I am starting to dig sleep since I had none for years. It is documented partially on the blog.....

I only get 5-7 hours a night. Let me sleep.

DH got the stinkeye from me this morning after he got out of the shower and was headed out to church.

(This is part of the reason I was not thrilled with the idea) I want to sleep.

A well rested Mom is underrated. Mothers who have went through VAST amounts of sleep deprivation will agree.

That is my thing right now.

The children will sleep, I want my sleep.

I also MUST get up in the morning to deal with the barking or certainly the kids will awaken, unless I want 2 GRUMPY children by 3pm (which is already She is done by 1pm. When I pick her up, she is more alley cat than loverly sweet girl. I do not need the I wanna play barking to cause the children to rise at 5:40am....